Thanks for any help. You likely dont have to worry about predators in your aquarium, but if they are housed with fish that share dissimilar temperaments, they might feel prone to defensive or aggressive behaviors in an act of self-preservation. This one causes irregular wart-like growth scattered across the fishs body. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your bala sharks! Pay close attention to signs of illness, and take steps to correct any water issues. Treat the tank with OTC antibacterial treatment. Here's How To Setup The Air Pump, Air Stone, & Sponge Filter For Aquarium. No additional supplements are required as long as the fish has a balanced, diverse diet. Symptoms: White, wriggling parasites that can be seen attached to the outer skin of the fish. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Bala Shark Lifespan and How to Maximize It - Avid Aquarist These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? However, this isnt actually the case. Theyre colored yellow, black and gray, and they can grow up to 12 inches, or 25-30 cm, in length making them relatively large for an aquarium fish. The most popular signs of stress are lack of activity and lost appetite. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. These peaceful shoaling fish are less aggressive and territorial than actual freshwater sharks. . These fish are used to warm waters with a pebbly or muddy substrate.Set up your bala sharks tank to replicate the fishs habitat in the wild. This authoritative reference eBook will not only help you learn how to create a healthy aquatic ecosystem without accidentally killing any of your fish, but itll also give you the momentum you need to build out your underwater empire. By the time youre finished reading, youll know a ton about them and be able to decide if theyre a good fit for you. These tend to be just 3 to 4 inches when first bought, and fish owners are often surprised to learn that the adult size can be up to 1 foot or 13 inches. Here are a few things youll need: With a little bit of care and dedication, your bala sharks should thrive in your tank! Take some time to think about it, and always default to doing whats best for the fish. Treatment usually involves sprinkling antibiotics into the water, but it doesnt always work out, and some Bala Sharks will simply die from the injuries. Make sure the decorations are securely placed and wont topple over if your bala shark bumps into them. I have 2 balas and 3 Corey cats what kind of fruit and vegetables can I feed them and what plants can I put in there tank, I have a massive bala sharj i keep her in a 3ft tank she is housed with baby cichlids bristlenose plecs & male & female kribs she gets on great with them & leaves the babies alone i change water every 2 weeks & clean internal filter every week i had 4 to start with but 3 died but had her years learnt well & i have never done ph tests theres rocks boat & plastic plants along the botton plus i have 2 air supplies running & shes very happy but does not like ne in her tank as she splashes ne loads when it comes to tank clean but i must say i love her lol, I love reading the ads my bala shark is in a 3 foot tank also in there are african cichlid fry 2 kribs male female & 2 female * 1 male bristle nose plecs that breed so have pleco fry aswell * it works well. Theres also no need to fill bala sharks tanks with rocks or plants. A vet may also prescribe antibiotics if its caused by bacteria, but in many cases, saving the fish is quite hard. Many fish owners also like to add a bit of finely diced spinach and/or fruits as well. Make sure these plants are properly anchored to the substrate, as bala sharks are active swimmers that may uproot them. Keep Reading: Why Do Bala Sharks Have White Spots? These omnivores enjoy a wide variety of flake foods and live protein, and will be happy with pretty much anything you can find in your local fish stores! The male will then fertilize the eggs by releasing his milt over the eggs. Make sure these are working properly. These fish are sensitive to changing water parameters, so maintaining consistent water parameters and carrying out regular 2030% water changes are essential to prevent disease and stress. Fish with dropsy appear bloated and have protruding eyes, scales that stick out from the body, loss of appetite, lethargy, and rapid breathing. The bala shark is a freshwater species of the Cyprinidae family. Best Tank: SC Aquariums 150-gallons Starfire Glass Aquarium, Best Heater: AQQA 1200 Watt Submersible Heater. If this is seen, the fish often has a parasitic or bacterial infection and should be treated. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. 4. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! (Reasons, Treatment, Prevention). This information should be more than enough to give you an idea of if this is the right fish for you. Due to their large body size, its easy to assume that Bala sharks need lots and lots of food the more, the merrier. However, these fish tend to get along well with many types of freshwater aquarium fish. This means that you must ensure that the tank you pick for them is big enough to accommodate their current and future size. Besides water quality, the lack of vitamin A could also cause visual problems characterized by cloudy eyes and impaired vision. She has been helping her father with his freshwater tanks since she was a toddler, and has fallen in love with the hobby ever since. white spots to appear on the Bala Sharks skin, Introducing contaminated food, fish, or water. When buying a bala shark, make sure the fish has been bred in captivity, to protect the species wild populations.The typical cost of a bala shark is $7 to $10. Your email address will not be published. Bad water quality symtoms are darting, loss of scales, looking pale, gasping, laboured breathing, flicking and rubbing, red gills, purple gills, turning upside down, sores, red streaking. These fish are large enough to deter your bala sharks from chowing down on them, while remaining relatively peaceful. Luckily, with early action, dietary improvement, and proper treatment, you can help your fish live a full life! The longer the tank, the more space this middle-dwelling fish has to explore. Bala Shark: Ultimate Guide (Care, Diet, Breeding & More) - Fun Fish Tank If this fish is on its own, that will cause additional stress. Snails are also not a good choice for Bala Sharks. I enjoyed the information about our daughters new pets. For example, the oxygen levels are extremely low in the water due to broken pumps or bubblers. You can also add other decorations like driftwood, rocks, and caves. Flukes is the term used to describe various types of external fish parasites. Ich or stress on my Bala. Symptoms: White spots on the body, fins, or eyes, Causes: Poor water quality, stress, or overcrowding. Conversely, its more widely believed that these fish twitch for particular reasons. All information, content, materials on this site, or obtained from a website to which the site is linked are provided to you as is without warranty of any kind either express or implied. If something in your aquarium is causing this, remove it and either isolate it (if its another fish) or take your bala shark to a vet for further analysis. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I'm Praveen Ghoshal, the founder of eFishkeeping.com. With 8 or more Bala Sharks and a suitable . After the female spawns, the male will then fertilize the spawned eggs with a substance called milt. Bala sharks are interesting freshwater fish as they grow to a big size in a tank, making them the gentle giants of your aquarium. But if you like watching bala sharks, you might notice a few things that show that your fish arent OK. A lot of Bala Shark owners reported that their fish play dead by floating upside down near the waters surface. The safe range for this is somewhere between 6.5 and 8 pH. Bala Shark Tank Size and Specifications . Bala sharks grow quickly, and replacing several smaller tanks is extremely tedious. These should be avoided or closely monitored to ensure that your Bala Shark is safe with their tankmates. A good, nutritious diet is important to every fish, and Bala sharks are no different. The tank itself will cost a pretty penny, but the upkeep will outweigh this upfront investment by miles. Again, your bala sharks may be large enough to defend themselves, but they shouldnt be put in a stressful situation to begin with. Plants and roots work fine. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Bala Sharks are an excellent freshwater aquarium fish. I'm not exactly sure what this could be but I'd tag it as a neurological sign. You might notice this behavior is a little more constant for a couple of days or so after bringing them home. Furthermore, you need to keep your water clean by removing old water and replacing it occasionally. They make an excellent addition to an aquarium due in part to their mild-temperament as well as their beauty and grace. I have a beautiful Bala shark in my 35 gallon tank. The information, content, and material contained on the site is intended to be of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute professional/medical advice. Read more about me here. It can be assumed that since other fish do it, its just one of those many quirks that make fish such fascinating animals. This includes low pH caused by the high concentration of ammonia in the water. These signs vary depending on the individual shark but can include changes in behavior, such as swimming in a different direction or staying close to the water's surface. Sexing the fish is difficult, and attempting breeding with a large group of fish increases the likelihood that there are males and females in the group.Initiate spawning by gradually increasing the water temperature to 82F over the time span of a week. What are good tank mates for Bala Sharks? Look for nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for these fish to grow to their full potential. Plant vegetation around the edges of the tank to prevent disruption to the swimming areas. Of course, there are also fish species you should steer clear of. And one from these pair chase other two and when other fish comes near them it chase them too. Check that the heater, pump, and filter are all working properly. Overcrowding can decrease the chances of successful breeding. Twitching due to stress may be one of the only ways they know how to tell you they arent happy. I have a 5ft tank with a mixture of gourami (honey pearl and blue dwarf). In their native habitats, they are accustomed to mosquito larvae, which is a widely available protein source in the rivers of Southeast Asia. By mindyt5, 2 years ago on Tropical Fish. In their natural habitat, Bala Sharks usually live about 5 to 6 years due to harsh conditions. The lifespan of a Bala Shark can be up to 10 years with the proper care. In captivity, a healthy Bala Shark can live for anywhere between 8 to 10 years. Since these fish prefer plants and other objects to hide in, it is better to place these along the sides of the aquarium to leave enough room for movement elsewhere. If you notice they are rubbing against other fish or against something in the tank, it could be indicative of an illness or infection. This one is a protozoan infection caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, hence the name. After that, youll need to sprinkle aquarium salts and ich treatment into the water. Open to fish, plants and reptiles living in freshwater or saltwater environments. 6. In reality, they belong to a family of fishes known as carps and minnows. Bala Sharks may show signs of stress in various situations, such as: Keeping a single Bala Shark in the tank for a long time (you should keep at least 4 to 6) Look for nutritious foods that provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins needed for these fish to grow to their full potential.Diversify feeding by adding live, high-protein foods like bloodworms and shrimp to the tank, and regularly feed the fish plankton, diced fruits, greens, and vegetables to fortify the fishs health.Bala sharks should be fed up to three times per day. These community fish like to. Moreover, they dont usually attack other fish, but they will display a lot of movement, racing inside the tank from one side to another. Bala Sharks: Complete Care Guide To Freshwater Sharks - Tankarium In the wild, these fish can be found in waters ranging from 72F to 82F. Otherwise, these fish share no other traits or behaviors with sharks found in saltwater oceans. While some bala shark owners have noticed twitching in tandem with stressors or illness, its not indicative of correlation; it may just be a coincidence. It also means that the care level is quite manageable. Ich is a very common disease thats caused by an aquatic protozoan parasite. For aesthetic purposes, you can go with a full-spectrum LED light that replicates the natural day and night cycle of their natural habitat. Ich Or Stress On My Bala | My Aquarium Club Time will tell. Because bala sharks hail from the tropical climate of Southeast Asia, they require warm temperatures between 72-82F. These affable fish travel in schools when in the wild, and fish owners should purchase several of these Bala Sharks at a time as they like company. It makes it easier to feed your bala sharks moderately sized meals at regular intervals throughout the day, instead of all at once, which can lead to overfeeding. You should avoid filling the tank with big or aggressive fish that might startle your bala sharks. As such, some assume that twitching is a sign of nervousness. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. She loves how it provides a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life. The fish is called a bala shark because of its long, pointed dorsal fin, which resembles a sharks fin.Bala sharks have long, torpedo-shaped, silvery-gray bodies with silver or yellow fins edged with black. Fish with Ich have white spots on their scales and are often seen flashing (or scratching) against rough surfaces in the tank. This is measured in dGH (degrees of general hardness) and the window youre aiming for is somewhere between 10 and 13. ), Fish Hiding Behind The Filter? If they hit the decorations or the wall too hard, they may get stunned for a few minutes. Bala Shark has a distinctive shape with a . forum community dedicated to tropical fish owners and enthusiasts. Therefore, these active swimmers are most at home in freshwater tanks that replicate these water conditions. This can happen due to medical conditions, such as neurological infections that attack their central nervous systems. Bala shark - Wikipedia So do I need to remove other two of them or completely take them out? Tankarium is reader-supported. Ich is one of the most common skin diseases amongst captive freshwater fish. Yet, you must be aware of signs that show that your fish arent OK, so you can make some necessary changes. Also, the Bala Shark itself can become prone to stress if there are . The most common Bala Shark external parasites are anchor worms, fish lice, and flukes. As weve previously mentioned, getting a filter that generates a pretty strong water flow is important, as these fish need a lot of water movement to be healthy. Your Bala shark could be under stress and it may lead to color loss. Once the tank is cycled and water parameters have stabilized, you can add your bala sharks to the tank. Make sure to opt for a heater thats rated for the size of your bala fish tank 150 gallons, per our minimum tank size recommendation. The best way to adjust and monitor the water pH is by using a store-bought pH kit and gauge. Silver sharks do best when their water temperature is at 77F. Native to Southeast Asia, the Bala Shark has been affectionately called The Gentle Giant due to its larger size and easygoing temperament. Obviously, the more fish you have, the more room they will need. They lock their fins to the side and stop moving them. Bala Sharks turning white? | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum Frankly speaking, Bala sharks are a joy to feed. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. The following reasons may be the answer to why your stressed Bala shark is losing color: . In addition to their dry food, Bala sharks need live protein. They might start hitting themselves against the tanks walls or swim frantically. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. This is true especially if kept with smaller fish who cant hold their own. Since then, I have been involved with this hobby. When in captivity, the Bala Sharks only becomes able to reproduce when they are at least 3 years of age and at least 5 inches, or 13 cm, long. Theres no simple answer, but there are a lot of assumptions made about this behavioral tendency. The bala shark is a peaceful fish that gets along well with other peaceful species in a community tank. It is crucial to give the fish enough space and room to swim during this process. To spur spawning, some fish breeders slowly increase the tank water temperature from 77 degrees up to 82 degrees. Remove all fish from the tank, including the parents, to prevent the adults from eating the fry. Learn how your comment data is processed. They are merely named as such due to their uncanny resemblance to their namesake. An appropriate temperature range is 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 to 26.7 degrees Celsius). The male Bala shark tends to grow a little larger than females. Home Aquatic Problems & Solutions Common Bala Shark Diseases to Watch For. Bala Sharks can be somewhat vulnerable if their tank water becomes dirty or when the tank water level lowers. You can read more in our profile, click on the shaded name Bala Shark. Also, the Bala Shark itself can become prone to stress if there are no places in the tank where they can hide when desired. Water conditions. If you want to keep Gouramis with a Bala Shark, choose larger species too. T the biffster Moved On Joined May 10, 2010 Messages 2,835 As a shoaling fish, the bala shark feels most comfortable when housed with at least four other fish of its kind.Bala sharks are fast, active swimmers that dart around the middle of the tank. Keep the bottom of the tank clear or add a breeding net to catch the eggs. Make sure that every new arrival has been properly quarantined for at least two weeks. Please avoid nippy fish even if these fish dont hurt your bala sharks in any material way, their presence will serve as a constant source of stress for these gentle giants. If you notice any sick bala shark in the aquarium, remove it and keep it in a separate tank until it improves. This condition causes water buildup inside the fishs body cavities, which results in belly swelling. How should you size the filter? Overcrowding can stress balas greatly, and they might even leap out of the tank to die if their aquarium is too overcrowded. Consider adding shrimp or other higher protein-laden food. Bala sharks can be purchased online easily, but the fish are difficult to find in small, local fish stores. Most fish experts recommend that about 25 to 35 percent of the tank water be renewed each week to keep them healthy, comfortable and happy in their environment. These include neon tetra, guppies, harlequin rasbora and other smaller fish types. Quarantine infected fish, and treat with an antifungal medication. After all, these fish will be kept in 150-gallon tanks. Species such as neon tetras may be great in most community tanks, but will likely turn into a tasty snack for a hungry bala shark. You can easily find them in pet stores. Raise the water temperature to 82o F for three days. To treat dropsy, add teaspoon of Epsom salt to every five gallons of water in the tank, and speak to your veterinarian about antibacterial medication for the disease. One that seems to have developed a bright red area at the base of it's dorsal fin. They are rubbing themselves against the gravel and rocks. Aggressive and non-compatible tank mates can make bala sharks stressed. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! Well, a good rule of thumb is to opt for something with a flow rate thats 6 times the size of your tank. One important thing to be aware of in terms of a bala sharks nervous behavior is they are jumpers. Female bala sharks have rounder bellies than males. The actual aquarium used when the spawning process happens needs to be at least 65 gallons, and the temperature should be kept at 77 degrees for the ideal breeding environment. Treat ich by removing the affected fish and placing them in a quarantine tank containing water that is a couple of degrees warmer than the home tanks temperature. Fish with Ich have white spots on their scales and are often seen flashing (or scratching) against rough surfaces in the tank.Treat ich by removing the affected fish and placing them in a quarantine tank containing water that is a couple of degrees warmer than the home tanks temperature. How much space should you allocate to these active fish? Its a good idea to check your other fish for signs of sickness, and check that your plants arent rotting in the water. House bala sharks in a freshwater tank and feed them an omnivorous diet.Habitat and Tank RequirementsThe bala sharks natural habitat is lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams in Southeast Asia.